"After those big bushfires in 2020, I decided I wanted to do something more to help the community and that’s when I decided to join the State Emergency Service (SES)."
Everyone has a reason for why they decide to volunteer. For Nikki Ristoski, who volunteers with the Shellharbour SES unit, it was a natural disaster on our doorstep that prompted her to sign up.
“That was four years ago now and I really enjoy it. We get to do the cool stuff and it’s really rewarding.”
Nikki, the stakeholder and media engagement officer for her SES unit, was part of the recruitment drive at the Wollongong Volunteer Expo, held yesterday at the town hall as part of National Volunteer Week.
Dozens of community groups, charities and not-for profits pitched the important work they do to the many hundreds who attended, all looking to use their spare time for the greater good.
Aidan McKay, from Unanderra, visited the Shellharbour SES stall keen to hear more about the work they do.
“They’ve been on my radar for quite a while, especially after we experienced all that recent heavy rain and flooding,” Aidan said.
Nikki, carrying the cute SES mascot, Paddy the Platypus, was quick to respond: “Flooding isn’t all that we do.” And she promptly promoted the Shellharbour SES open day, which will be held between 10am-2pm on Saturday, 15 June at the base at Tongarra Road, Albion Park.
“This will be a great opportunity for people to call in and find out more about the huge variety of things we do and also to learn more about how they can best prepare themselves for the next emergency,” Nikki said.
“Education is so important. It’s about people helping themselves but also helping their neighbours. Sometimes that’s all that’s needed to prevent a disaster. If we can help people to prepare and avoid an emergency, then we’re doing our job. And of course, we will always be there if things turn bad.”
Also, on hand at the Wollongong Volunteer Expo, firing up the lunchtime sausage sizzle, were volunteers from the PCYC.
Katie Langsford, from Wollongong PCYC said the expo had generated a lot of interest and "very welcome donations” from the public.
“Across the region we run lots of activities but one we're particularly targeting is the ‘Fit For Life’ program, which supports young people who are vulnerable and need a special helping hand,” Katie said.
“With these young people, we pick them up from home before school, take them to the club for some sport and physical activity, give them some breakfast and then drop them at school. We really believe the program is making a difference in those young people’s lives.”
Sue Clementson from Albion Park was shopping around for volunteering options when we spoke with her at the UOW’s Simulated Patient Program stand.
“At the moment I’m not volunteering but now that I’m semi-retired I’m looking for something to do.”
Sue caught up with Gerry Stort, who enjoys volunteering with the Simulated Patient program, where he effectively plays the role of a ‘dummy patient’ for the student doctors in training at UOW
“I was a paramedic for 32 years and I see this as a way to give back to the community in my retirement.”
Among the most popular stands at the Volunteer Expo was Wollongong Council’s Library Service.
“We’ve had men and women seeking volunteering opportunities from the ages of 19-70,” said Andrew Gee from the libraries team. “They are mainly people with time on their hands. Quite a few said they’d retired recently or were close to retirement, and no one wants to stop.”
His colleague, Laurie Popple, said: “After talking with people today they’re starting to realise that libraries are not just about books.”
In the libraries’ programs and events space, the recent Comic Gong was supported by 24 volunteers. “Our events couldn’t run as successfully as they do without our volunteers,” Laurie said.
“We also need volunteers in our home library program, where we select and deliver books to people in their homes, and also in our adult literacy program, where we’re teaching people well beyond their school years to read and write.
“Before today, we had about a dozen volunteers helping with this important program and we reckon we’ve signed up another dozen people today.”
National Volunteer Week was again an opportunity to drum up new recruits but equally importantly to recognise and celebrate the great work our volunteers do every day of the year.
